Zombie Miniature Painting Question from a Non-painter

[KingZombie]

Well... they got painted a week or so back... finally dipped them today. SO.... pics will be up in a week or so.

[andythorn1969]

Just been reading all the posts on this and I must say, Well done King Zombie they certainly look like zombies to me!

And I should also say I have never been on such a friendly and helpful forum. No nasty sarcastic comments and no idiots swearing at anyone. Coolminiornot really is cool!

For record I personally prefer using Vallejo Game Colour and avoid buying GW brushes when possible although I've heard the paints are OK and I think the models are really good (if a little pricey).

Boomshanka!

Andy

[Droganis]

I have likewise attempted my first paint job (a couple of the monsters from Descent: Journeys in the Dark) just using cheap acrylics and brushes. So far.... well, it's more colorful, at least. I still need to head to a hardware store for dip to see how much that improves the job. I'll post pictures eventually, but maybe after I try a few more with (hopefully) some better results....

[KingZombie]

@Andy, thanks for the kind words! I'm having fun.

@Droganis - Dip works! It's amazing. As stated by others, make sure your colors are a brighter than you want.

I really need to take before pics........

[Droganis]

Heh. I sure hope so, 'cause I did a really poor job in picking colors for my first attempt. I mean, it's not absolutely horrible, but I do question whether the painted will be better off than unpainted. I do have high hopes for the dip, since these figures are so heavily detailed that extra definition in the nooks and crannies will make a world of difference. At least, that's the hope!

[KingZombie]

@Droganis You'll see the skeleton my 6 y.o. painted... it came out pretty good and I tried not to do too much. So I know you can do it!!

[Niranth]

(NOTE: If you use the minwax...let them sit for 3-4 days after you dip them. Seriously. When you thinks it's totally dry, wait one more day. It takes a bit to setup with that rock hard finish, and it will hold a thumb smudge like nobodies business if you grab it early...

You may want to wait even longer, I added a few highlights yesterday (day three after dipping) and sprayed a gloss coat tonight. The Minwax wrinkled like a prune! I have not had it do that before, not sure if it is the heat. The humidity is lower than usual for this time of year and the gloss was fine on other models. Into the Simple Green...

Edit: I found a few people advocating waiting a week, I'll try to be patient next time.

[KingZombie]

This is my second batch of Skeletons. I experimented with Dry Brushing. I can see I need to do a better job of making sure there is less on the brush, but I'm pretty happy with them.


This is a viking my 10 y.o. painted.

ANd here is a skeleton my 10 y.o. also painted. He said he was going for and "out of the ground" look.


This is the figure my 6 y.o. painted with very little help from me. It was hard to not do more.

[KingZombie]

So you see Droganus, there is hope! You can do it if I can!

[Niranth]

Using thicker paint helps make dry brushing a bit easier.

[Scorpion0x17]

Given the techniques used, they're all really good, KZ!

Love the 'out of the ground look', and the Viking is really good - your 10yr old's got good brush control.

And the one your 6ry old did is AWESOME!

Also, not sure you do need any less paint on the brush when dry-brushing, to be honest with you, unless there're bad patches I'm not seeing in the photos!

Did you dry-brush with the base-coat colour after dipping? Or was it base-coat, dry-brush with lighter shade, then dip?

[Scorpion0x17]

Using thicker paint helps make dry brushing a bit easier.

This is true.

And it's why I suggested the GW dry-brushing paints - they're uber-thick.

[KingZombie]

Also, not sure you do need any less paint on the brush when dry-brushing, to be honest with you, unless there're bad patches I'm not seeing in the photos!

Did you dry-brush with the base-coat colour after dipping? Or was it base-coat, dry-brush with lighter shade, then dip?

I did all of my dry-brushing pre-dip.

I may try some post dip to see the difference. I have another 14 zombies, 12 skeletons and some knights to work on... if I can find time.

[KingZombie]

Oh...and I did use GW dry brush "mousse". That stuff is interesting.

On the other hand, my 10 y.o. dry brushed with regular paint and did a good job.

[Niranth]

If you dry brush post dip and want to add a clear protective coat, wait at least a week after dipping! (See my post just prior to KZ's. The Minwax wrinkled and puckered.)

When I dry brush, after wiping the brush on a paper towel, I'll paint the back of my hand until the brush is no longer releasing paint. After some painting sessions, I'll have the oddest looking glove and I'm not sure how healthy the practice may be, but a good scrubbing and it all goes away.

[KingZombie]

When I dry brush, after wiping the brush on a paper towel, I'll paint the back of my hand until the brush is no longer releasing paint. After some painting sessions, I'll have the oddest looking glove and I'm not sure how healthy the practice may be, but a good scrubbing and it all goes away.

Well... I did that, but still wasn't patient enough. There are some patches that don't show up in the pictures... but they're there. This has been a fun process! Thanks for all the tips and encouragement.

[CptJake]

You guys are doing great.

I really like the fact you have your kids painting too. My daughter helps me painting terrain and basing figures all the time, and has painted some figures herself too as well as helping on some of mine. I enjoy the fact that she enjoys it.

[Scorpion0x17]

Oh...and I did use GW dry brush "mousse". That stuff is interesting.

Cool.

Even with that stuff you still want to get very little on the brush - and then wipe pretty almost all of it off on a paper towel - literally just get the tips of the bristles in the paint.

It seems very counter-intuitive, but with practice you'll get used to it - and I think I've said this before, but it's worth repeating - always remember that you can add more paint, but you can't (easily) take paint off (without removing other paint you don't want to remove) - so 'less is more' - apply a little, and if doesn't look like enough, then apply a little more.

On the other hand, my 10 y.o. dry brushed with regular paint and did a good job.

He/she is a natural!

[Skittlebrau]

Excellent work!

I feel the same sort of pride when my kids bring home good report cards. Knowing I was able to pass along a little knowledge, and seeing it put to such good work.... brings a tear to the old eye. Keep it up and you will be filming painting tutorials soon enough!

[killaminis]

What I find most interesting about this is that when all is said and done and All your Zombicide figures are painted You Will Have Become a "Painter" of Miniatures. Although it may be a more basic technique it's still a tool that can be used to achieve a desired affect. Welcome to the hobby!